St Peter’s Church, Maidenhead
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Hothorpe 2010
The fluff from the bubblegum
One particular quiz required the help of a ‘Nutty Professor ‘who knew all there was to know about the real Christmas story. This annual event is not only popular with the school children but also with the teachers who come along with them. Some of their comments included, “It was brilliant and the children were totally engaged”; “This is the third year I’ve been and I’ve enjoyed it every time”; “A fantastic idea, lots of fun for the children and a lovely way to help them remember the story”. Another comment appreciated the help that was available for those children who were less able.
Among the visitors to the 2009 session were Wayne Dixon from Scripture Union (who devised both Christmas Unwrapped and Easter Cracked) and the Area Dean Rev. Jeremy Hyde who called in with Right Rev. Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading.
Showstoppers!! This years
The helpers from St Peters and River Church had their hands full but the behaviour and attitude of the 40 children was exemplary, even when the chance to relive the classic scripture of David and Goliath included hurling water balloons at Andy Barratt, the kids were very well behaved - the helpers on the other hand took this slightly more seriously (and accurately!)
New Wine 09
When I was asked to write about New Wine, one of the things that sprung to mind was the rain! To quote a fellow camper “My wellies became my best friend!” But that did not stop any of the amazing things from happening. As I’d never been before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was pretty overwhelmed when I first stepped inside the evening meeting tent to see just so many people all praising God – it was awesome. I loved the variety of speakers, seminars and worship leaders, but just the chance to spend a week with friends from church, focusing on God was brilliant. Through attending a few specific meetings and receiving prayer I believe God encouraged me in particular areas of my life and I am very thankful to Him for this. I also heard powerful testimonies of God at work throughout the whole world and how His kingdom is spreading. If it sounds like I’m trying to sell it to you for next year, I am – it is great!
Rwanda 2009
So much went on in
During the second week on some of the mornings we ran a children’s club. We performed dramas for them and sang songs with them and played lots of games with them. It was a lot of fun and the children really enjoyed us being there. Also during the second week we visited places like (Nugeme) forest and a tea factory. The forest was very beautiful to walk around and it was very interesting to see how tea was made. Also during the week we visited a genocide memorial site in Murambi which was a secondary school site where many people were killed. It was very hard to be there and I don’t think anyone will forget it. At the end of the week on our last day we went to the Bishop’s house to say goodbye to everyone. We all made lots of new friends and had such an amazing experience it was quite hard to say goodbye. It was a great trip and I definitely think everyone wants to go back again!
Furze Platt School Concert
Clearing the Stream It was a wet Saturday morning, but that didn't deter the volunteers from five churches across Maidenhead, who were working together for the second year running to clear part of York Stream in central Maidenhead. After last year's success, people were keen to take part again, and around 40 volunteers worked to collect rubbish from the stream, and make the area look cleaner. The churches are working together in order to practically share the love of Jesus in the local community.
Auction of Promises
The evening was very well supported, with over 80 attending to bid on desirable lots such as England rugby tickets, and a hot air balloon ride, as well as various holiday homes.
Guests enjoyed canapes as they browsed silent auction lots, and attempted to out-bid each other, and they were waited on by the young people taking part in the trip. The auction was a huge success, and has so far raised over £7600 - many thanks to all those who supported the evening.
Rwanda Wheelathon In the summer a group is going to Rwanda from St Peters. Whilst many may be too young to go (without their Mum or Dad), they are still not too young to take part!
A number of our younger members raised some money to enable the trip out to Rwanda by enjoying a sponsored ride in the park during the Easter holidays. God can use people of any age in His plans! Easter Cracked
  In the lead-up to Easter, pupils from Courthouse and Furze Platt Junior Schools have been visiting St. Peter's to find out all about Easter, by watching and taking part in 'Easter Cracked', an interactive presentation.
   The Big Sleep
 For some it seemed a turbulent nightmare full of pain and despair, for others; a night in a cardboard box and a 24hr Famine was an enjoyable, harder than expected, inspiring charity fundraising event. Scrounging for food turned the excitement into reality as fruit and biscuit crumbs were served on the doorsteps. When we returned, a tour of the hand-made houses was given and it was clear that those less in touch with their creative sides were in for a cold night.     A commonly used stereotype of a teenager; Lazy, Grumpy, Bed-Warmers. Try using that one with the 47 young people who after a rough, sleepless night took part in the Big Car Wash!Cleaning cars by the bucket load and the provision of a unique service brought in a total of £450, which was a massive encouragement to us all.
    All the money raised, which is looking like £7,500, will be going to Street Kids Direct, who provide support to street children starved of food and of God's word. 18 months is the average life expectancy of a street kid. Stealing food and drug abuse is their way of survival. A skype link to a childrens home in Hondurus helped many of us to understand the terrible conditions of street life and to be deeply inspired, seeing the way God changes lives dramatically.   Hope to see you for the Big Sleep and Famine next year. Songs of Praise
 The Henry Tudor ward at St. Mark's Hospital had a Songs of Praise on Sunday - this photo shows Pat and Brian Rose (the congregation leaders)and some of the St. Marks congregation with hospital residents.
(for more details about this event, see the latest edition of The Link)
Lagos trip
Even though we had been to Nigeria in years past, Lagos probably would not be our first choice of a place to spend a week’s holiday…..but there are times in your life when you just know Jesus is in everything that happens! This was definitely one of them. Despite a hitch on the visas they came through 2 days before we left. Despite my boss being away for that week, he positively encouraged us to go. Despite all the negative stuff on the net about Lagos airport, the flight and airport went extremely smoothly.
Our main memories seem to be of answered prayer, laughter and the overwhelming generosity of the Nigerians. As so often when you do stuff overseas, we received so very much more than we gave. Many thanks to all those that prayed for us and the team More information at http://www.alphanigeria.org/index.php John and Liz Barringer
P150
P150 are the youth worship band at St. Peters, and have become part of the regular worship rota, leading at various services on Sundays throughout the year.
Find more upcoming events like these in our calendar. |
Over three days at the end of November, children from Year 4 at both Furze Platt and Courthouse Junior Schools took part in Christmas Unwrapped in St. Peters Church. Described as taking the “fluff from the bubblegum” ie removing the commercialism to leave just the story, it was a fun way for the youngsters to discover what Christmas is really about. With word searches, story boards, biscuit decorating and puzzles, the 200 children who took part, led by the Worship team and helped by other adults, had a great time finding this out. 
An Auction of Promises was held on May 16th to help with fundraising for the youth Rwanda trip this Summer.
In November 2008 Liz and I received an e-mail from Alpha UK wondering if we might be interested in going in joining an Holy Trinity Brompton GAT (Global Alpha Training) trip to Lagos; just one thing we would be going in 2 weeks! Within 4 hours we had made the decision to go and things started to come together. 
Having started well, it just got better as the days went by. We were able to stay together as a team in great accommodation and were driven in each day to the Cathedral where the GAT was being held. Despite only meeting in Lagos, the team from HTB, Abuja in Nigeria, Rosie from Uganda and us, got on really well. Everything was really well organized and we had a great local band to lead the worship. Once the GAT started, (Being Lagos there were only 4 delegates in the hall at start time) 150+ church leaders came and have hopefully been inspired to run with Alpha.
